This article is a reprint of an original article posted by the Hutchinson Leader. View the original article here.

When Bob Malone and Randy Dague established 3-D CNC 25 years ago as a two-man operation in an office little bigger than a closet, they really didn’t have a vision of the future that showed them employing almost 30 people in a 14,000-square-foot building. But that is where they are today.

3-D CNC Inc. (the letters CNC represent computer numerical control) is celebrating 25 years as a precision manufacturer this year. Malone and Dague teamed up because they saw a niche in the manufacturing industry using the latest technologies. The original focus of the business was the sales, support and training of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing software.

“We started with programming for CAD/CAM for early PC use in the tool and die industry,” Dague said this past week. One of their first pieces of equipment was a used $75 tape winder for punched tapes that ran machines. They delivered punched tapes that customers used to run their machines. Later, they helped companies hook computers directly to machines.

Earlier this year, we purchased a brand-new Haas VM3. With an envelope of 40” X 26” X 25”, the VM3 is our largest machining center yet. The new machine has helped increase our capabilities to better serve your needs.

The large size of the VM3 allows us to machine several precision parts in a single setup. With multiple fixtures in place, the machine can accommodate one to hundreds of parts, depending on part size. This reduces cycle time with fewer tool changes.

One of our customers had large plates which required precision hole placement. Utilizing the VM3, we were able to manufacture precision holes to the exact customer specifications. With the large working envelope of the VM3, we are able to machine precision features on plates up to 24” X 36” in size.

The latest addition to our shop has played a role in shortening our lead times, meeting the tightest delivery requirements.

Resulting from our experience at this years IMTS we invested in Chick Work-holding Solution precision sub-plates along with single and double lock vices to help us with setup reduction and more increasing productivity.

Chick Work-holding Solutions double lock design reduces cycle times and reduces time chip to chip. With the ability to run multiple part setups we are now able to get more of your parts done faster.

QwikChange is a Chick innovation that allows you to set up CNC milling jobs faster, change jaws faster, and hold parts with greater repeatability and accuracy. QwikChange also provides faster part changes, accurate repeatability, no jaw lift, and customized fixturing.

All of these innovations start with an improvement in our process, and end results with a lower cost part delivered to you in less time.

As mentioned in our July Newsletter we have partnered with Southwest Minnesota State University to develop a new marketing campaign. We are privileged to put our heads together with these experienced staff members and students. If you have not noticed, thanks to SMSU, we have developed a cutting edge new logo, and incorporated it wherever possible. Also we have completed a mailing campaign to increase our reach into the market. This would not have been possible without the help of the Small Business Job Act.

This machine is equipped with through the spindle coolant, and super speed rapid traverse.

Our new machine is one of many improvements that we have made to increase productivity and total capacity.

CAMWorks VoluMILL has been implemented, which is a CAM software enhancement that enables deeper axial depths of cuts and higher feed rates. This investment was essential to shorten our lead times and maintain competitive pricing.

In response to increased customer demand 3-D CNC has increased our staff to include two more highly skilled machinists. These individuals will join our team by training in the Quality Control Lab and learning the importance of our commitment to quality.

3-D CNC, Inc. recently incorporated uniPoint Management Software. uniPoint is a quality management software that will improve many of the already great attributes that we possess. uniPoint is integrated with JobBOSS, our manufacturing resource planning software.

With uniPoint in place all NC (non-conformance) forms and CPA ( corrective preventive actions) forms will become paperless. This will speed up time and enhance communication between the different processes. Communication between shifts will also improve because employees will receive notices of non-conformance, and will have the ability to monitor corrective preventive actions . uniPoint will also improve tool calibration and maintenance by keeping on time records to assure quality manufacturing.

Contact www.unipointsoftware.com or www.exactamerica.com for more information on either managment software.

Modern Machine Shop posted an article in July of 2011 talking about 3-D CNC, Inc. and our ability to produce intricate parts with tight tolerances.

"For this precision manufacturer, keeping inspections cost-effective required a system that could provide both high accuracy and reduced measuring times. The Prismo navigator CMM from Zeiss delivered both, along with additional, unexpected benefits."

3-D CNC, Inc. announces the acquisition of a new Zeiss Prismo Navigator S-ACC coordinate measuring machine. Software included in the purchase is the Calypso package with Calypso Curve and HOLOS-NT supporting software packages.{showhide +params}

The system is a higher end measurement machine with accuracy of with in plus or minus .00002". The measurement envelope includes an X range of 27.6", a Y range of 35.4", and a Z range of 19.7".

Ken Wraspir, 3-D CNC Quality Manager stated, "The Zeiss system adds a new measurement element that best supports our current customer base and all future 3-D CNC customers."

The system will compliment current 3-D CNC quality inspection options by offering a highly accurate, fast and efficient three-dimensional measurement tool.

The system is now available as a value added service to our customers. Feel free to contact any 3-D CNC representative to find out more about this exciting new service or to answer any technical questions about the system.{/showhide}

Complimenting the Agie, Agiecut Vertex 2F WEDM machine purchased in late 2006, is the Agie, Agiecut Progress V2 WEDM machine acquired in early 2007. The two machines provide 3-D CNC, Inc. with the next generation of high-end WEDM precision technology. The Vertex 2F offers unmatched accuracy and surface finish with exceptional cutting speeds while the Progress V2 offers nearly comparable accuracy and surface finish with double the cutting speed of the Vertex 2F. {showhide +params}

The Progress V2 is considered the high-end work horse of the three Charmilles WEDM machines and the two Agie WEDM machines at 3-D CNC, Inc. The machine cuts at an amazing 47 square inches per hour making it ideal for precision production type work. Wire size can go down to .003" diameter. A big time saver for the operator is he/she does not have to change wire guides when switching wire sizes in the machine. Surface finishes in the 5 to 6 RMS range can be achieved on a consistent basis.

Important time saving features found on both Agie machines include: A user friendly Windows XP based controller combined with an IPG-V digital power supply, advanced wire off-set which aides in tipping the cutting wire during the cutting process to compensate for irregular material erosion producing precise tolerance and cylindricity control, wire bend control producing smoother radius transitions on smaller part radius cutting, and probing capabilities to probe the top surface of a part to adjust the cutting wire perpendicular to part datum features.

3-D CNC, Inc. can now offer customers a variety of unique high-end precision technology WEDM capabilities. The wire EDM department at 3-D CNC, Inc. runs week days 24-hours per day and offers a week-end shift to minimize lead times.

After 3-D CNC, Inc. acquired CAMWorks CNC programming software in 2006, it didn't take long to realize the opportunity the software presented with the potential upgrade of our machining center capabilities. This upgrade was accomplished early in 2007 with the purchase of a Haas VM-2 and a Haas TM-2 vertical machining centers. The two machines were purchased for different reasons, but ultimately together, form a vital link enhancing our CNC programming capability with improved machining accuracy and speed.

The Haas VM-2 vertical machining center features a 30-hp in-line dual direct drive 12,000-rpm 40-taper spindle. The machine came equipped with a probing option used to efficiently pick-up part features and provide in-process dimensional verifications. In addition to the machine's excellent accuracy and impressive speed, it offers improved machining rigidity allowing for specific hard milling applications.

The Haas TM-2 vertical machining center was purchased to offer ease of operation along with extreme flexibility. It is designed to be used in any of three modes of operation: manual, combined manual and fully programmable CNC, and fully programmable CNC. The machine is highly accurate in either mode making it the machine of choice over standard tool room mills. Future plans include replacing existing tool room mills at 3-D CNC, Inc. with additional TM-2 machines.

Both machines have enhanced our ability to utilize the technology of solid model programming to efficiently machine close tolerance prototype and small run production parts.

3-D CNC, Inc a machine tool and die manufacturer broke ground in the Hutchinson Industrial Park last week and plans are to have a new 6,000 square-foot plane operational by December 15 of this year, according to Randy Daque, Company CEO.

The new facility is expected to be four times the size of the company's current facility located at 106 Erie Street in Hutchinson.

The company began operations by incorporating on June 5, 1989. The two stockholders, Randy Dague and Robert Malone opened the business with the hoe of finding a niche in the computer numerical control of machine tool and die making and manufacturing.

The company's goal is to supply manufacturers with high quality, quick turn-around, precision tooling prototypes and short-run production. Specializing in three dimensional machining and four axis wire EDM.

The Hutchinson Community Development Corp has been working with 3-D CNC representatives for several months on the possibility of relocating to the Industrial Park.